Bethlehem man sentenced for 'despicable' sex assault

A Bethlehem man will serve up to 41/2 years in prison for sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl.

In sentencing Sean Humes Sr., Northampton County Judge Leonard Zito called his crime both "despicable" and "the ultimate insult."

"It places us in the position of being completely amoral," Zito said.

In April, Humes pleaded guilty to a felony sex offense and corrupting a minor, a misdemeanor. Police said the offenses were uncovered in August after the girl told staff at St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill she had been sexually assaulted that night.

"She went to the hospital because she just couldn't take it anymore," Assistant District Attorney Patricia Broscius said. "Those were her words, 'I just can't take it anymore.'"

The victim reported to police that Humes, 42, had been molesting her since 2009, according to court records. His plea agreement came as the teen was "extremely reluctant" to go forward with a trial on additional charges, Broscius has said, though a rape kit tied Humes' DNA to the August assault.

Under Zito's sentence, Humes will not become eligible for parole until he has served two years and three months behind bars. Once he completes his prison term, he'll be on probation for another 10 years.

Broscius said Humes blames his victim for what happened and has not shown remorse. Defense attorney James Connell argued that his client accepted responsibility and knows he did wrong.

"I never meant to harm anyone," Humes told Zito.

Humes will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.